Beautiful video. Love that N&W whistle. I would love to see NS get it back on the tracks along with 1216 (I believe that's the #, a 2-6-6-4). But, from what I've seen on Trains & Locomotives on RFD-TV, both have been taken apart, cleaned, lubed and reassembled for future use. They're sitting in dry storage. They're both currently in running order and well preserved. They just cost too much too operate & upkeep doesn't justify their operation. I do believe there's the railfans, myself included, who would gladly pay alot more now for a ride than they used to charge back in the 80's. A ride back then was only $42.00 a person. No wonder it wasn't a money maker. That explains why they're currently running excursions with the "F" units.

If it's a cost of money, then why does the UP run the 844 and 3985? Surely they lose more than they make on those, but it's EXCELLENT PR for the railroad so that helps make up for it, and the employees who volunteer have a blast! The 844 by the way is the only steam locomotive in the US never taken off the active duty roster (she has been in constant use since 1944), my grandpa proudly worked on her and others like her in Pocatello, ID :)

Posted by J611Lover on January 8, 2008

I love the J611 and the 1218.Back in the eighties my dad and I chased the J611 around trying to see it.We eventually found out that someone from N&Woffice ran it off the tracks.The J611 definatelyhas the best whistle ever!!!

Posted by Derek Buel on April 14, 2008

I think some reasons why NS cancelled the steam program in 1994, was probably due to liability issues, it cost tons on money to keep the 611 and 1218 running. Also it may ended due to a derailment in 1986 when 611 was hauling an employee excursion through the Great Dismal Swamp and a passenger car picked a switch, causing 12 more cars to derail, having employees and families sent to the hospital with some minor and critical injuries.

Posted by Don G on April 16, 2008

Norfolk Southern "higher ups" wanted the program canceled long before they actually did cancel it. Robert Claytor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_B._Claytor) was the driving force behind the NS steam program, and not 3 months after he passed away, NS canned the steam program.